More than 25 million people in the United States are known to have asthma, a potentially life-threatening disease marked by wheezing, chest tightness and coughing. If you think you or your child has asthma, it's important to get it diagnosed and learn how to control it.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that often begins in childhood. People with asthma have inflamed airways, which can be very sensitive to certain triggers like air pollution and cigarette smoke. When something irritates the airways, the muscles around them tighten, narrowing the space. The swelling can become worse, too. If mucus develops, the airways can narrow even further.
You can help control your asthma by taking these steps:
- Work with your doctor to develop an asthma action plan.
- Learn the warning signs of an asthma attack and what to do if they occur.
- Take your medicines exactly as prescribed.
- Avoid things that trigger your asthma attacks.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Symptoms of asthma may include:
- Wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe)
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing, especially at night or in the early morning
- Tightness in the chest
Who is at risk?
If one of your parents has asthma, you are more likely to have it. Most people with asthma also have allergies. Boys with asthma outnumber girls, but the gender difference disappears in adulthood. Researchers believe that genetic and environmental factors can interact and cause asthma. Some childhood respiratory infections and exposure to certain airborne allergens or viral infections in early childhood may contribute to asthma. But the exact cause of asthma remains a mystery.
What are the most common triggers of asthma symptoms?
A trigger is something that causes your asthma symptoms to flare up. Triggers can be from indoor or outdoor sources and may be an irritant or allergen. The most common triggers are:
- Airborne irritants such as hairspray and pollution
- Tobacco smoke
- Respiratory infections, such as colds
- Physical exercise
- Psychological stress
- Certain medications
The most common allergens are:
- Mold spores
- Animal dander or hair
- Dust mites
- Cockroach remnants
- Sulfites (a common food preservative)
If you have not been diagnosed with asthma but have concerns, see your doctor. Your doctor will ask questions about your medical and family histories. To gain a better understanding, he or she will ask you which symptoms you have, when they appear and how much they affect your life. And she will ask whether others in your family also have asthma and allergies.
You will get a physical exam. The doctor will listen to your breathing. He or she will check to see if you have common signs of asthma or allergies. These include wheezing, a runny nose and eczema or other allergic skin condition.
Expect some medical tests, too. One is a breathing test called spirometry. It gauges how well your lungs are working by measuring how much air you can breathe in and out, and how fast you can exhale. The doctor may give you a second test during the same appointment to see if your breathing improves with asthma medicine.
The doctor may also test you for allergies, since there is a close tie between asthma and allergies.
Don't delay seeking a diagnosis if you think you or your child has asthma. Asthma is a serious disease. But it is one that you can learn to manage.
Created on 06/24/1999
Updated on 05/23/2013
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Living with asthma.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What are the signs and symptoms of asthma?
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What is asthma?